Category Archives: Interviews

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Sept. 29, 2017) — The Hollywood Press Corps recently got a chance to speak to musical artist Heather LaRose. Earlier this month, Heather dropped a new track on all platforms called Mixtape. Mixtape is pop music with a synth/electronic music backdrop. This is fun music that you might listen to at the gym or while driving your car. It’s been about two years since Heathers project “Beachside” came out. We wanted to ask her about her latest project called “Mixtape” and see what she’s been up to lately.

Heather LaRose. Photo by Martin Mendez

Hollywood Press Corps (HPC); Could you tell us a little about Mixtape? How did you select this song for your latest musical release?

(HLR); I wrote Mixtape after my ex liked a photo of mine on Facebook, and then obsessively played a mix CD he made me the summer before. I’ve been writing a lot of new material about so many different experiences and feelings, but Mixtape just felt like the song I wanted to listen to right now. It’s my summer jam: high-energy and optimistic, admittedly a little “extra,” but that’s just who I am!

(HPC); Could you tell us what genre of music Mixtape falls into, in your opinion.

I’d say it’s a modern “Top 40” style pop song, with a slight mix of tropical house. Mixtape differs from my previous record, Beachside in many ways. It still has those recognizable Heather LaRose pop melodies and singalong choruses, but now I know myself a lot better and am writing with a totally confident mentality, which I think really comes through in the music.

(HPC); What’s your songwriting process like? How do you come up with an idea and then record it in the studio?

(HLR); I always seem to get the best new song ideas while I’m driving… there’s something about driving that really frees up your mind – feeling that breeze rushing through your hair while the sun is shining? It’s definitely different every time though: with Mixtape it all started from the moment I got that notification on Facebook, and I just locked myself in my room all day until I finished it. Other times, the chorus or verse will pop into my head and the rest of the song will come to me later. I’m very inspiration driven, and I like to essentially allow the song to write itself.

(HPC); What was it like to work with MTV on your song “New Moon” which was featured on MTV’s show “Teen Wolf”?

(HLR); Pure Teen Wolf magic! I binge watched the third season, and then wrote “New Moon.” I was so honored to hear back from the Music Director and have New Moon featured in the fourth season! And then the Teen Wolf fans are so beautifully intense and interactive, and also gave me a huge boost. They have supported me so much in my career through listening to my music and coming to my shows. I love meeting them at my concerts – they always make really cool posters, it’s awesome!

Bi-coastal Heather LaRose glamming it up on the West Coast(Best Coast). Photo by Pearl and Ash

(HPC); You started in New York’s Westchester area, and now you’re in Los Angeles. What was the transition like?

(HLR); LA is the anti New York, so it’s really funny being out here. People’s personalities are a total 180 from the New York crowd, but I love the artistic community and support here. We all lift each other up and are each other’s friends and fans. It has made the transition much easier knowing I have families on both coasts!

(HPC); Do you have a favorite coast? West coast or East coast?

(HLR); West Coast is the best coast of course! But whenever I’m away from my NY homies I miss them like crazy, but we have these epic snap streaks that go on for months! However, my style of music is totally more West Coast, so it makes sense for me to be out here.

(HPC); Could you talk about your relationship with your mother? Did she help you get to where you are today?

(HLR); My mom is amazing! We are super close – she calls me at least once a day and we talk for hours. She and my father have been my biggest support system throughout my whole life. If I didn’t have their full support about my choices with my career, I would have nothing.

(HPC); It looks like you’ve become quite a social media influencer. How do you use your social media to promote your music?

(HLR); I started out my Instagram posting selfies and promoting shows, and it just expanded from there! My friends all say I talk too much, but I think that really helps with my Instagram account! I love meeting the people who reach out and like my posts. Just last week I met with a group of girls in Manhattan right before a fashion week event I was going to. We had plans to meet up for lunch but I got locked out of the apartment I was staying in so we met up at Union Square’s Forever 21 and they helped me pick out my Fashion Week outfit then grabbed some Chik-fil-A and ran over to the event. Over the years, I’ve become more deliberate about what I post and promote, but I will never stop talking to people who dig my music, fashion, and cool pictures!

Heather LaRose. Photo courtesy Fifth Member

(HPC); Is there any musician that you’ve worked with in the past that you learned a lot from?

(HLR); During High School and college at Lagond Music School, I studied with Darryl Tookes and Paul Maddison. They both helped mold and shape my career and taught me so much about performing and the music business.

(HPC); Is there a musician that you’re looking forward to working with in the future?

(HLR); I would love to produce a song with BloodPop – the remix they did for HAIM is amazing! I’m also super obsessed with Justin Beiber’s new tune “Friends.”

(HPC); You have so many interests and talents. You’re in music, and fashion. Any plans to start your own clothing line?

(HLR); Not just yet. But, I’m trying my hand in designing band merch, so I’m super excited to unveil new tees and maybe some more unexpected items…

(HPC); What’s one thing that would surprise people about you?

(HLR); Growing up I loved catching frogs in my backyard and use to pretend to be Steve Irwin (rip) so when I’m older and have a family I want to host a show on Animal Planet and travel the world teaching people about animals.

Thanks for taking your time to speak with us and our readers! Check out Mixtape on YouTube!